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Healthcare in America is very different to the NHS in the UK. There is no universal healthcare provided by the government, and indeed it is well known that healthcare in America is very costly. Below you can find the information that you need to know about the US healthcare system and what you need to prepare.
Do you want to continue preparing for your move to America? At Sirelo make it easy for you 😉 Take a look at the variety of options for the best health insurance in the US:
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The company is a leading provider of health insurance solutions for expats and international travellers. Their extensive network of doctors and hospitals in more than 180 countries will ensure you high-quality medical care when needed. Their plan Xplorer is specifically made to cover US citizens (individuals, professionals and families) or foreigners in the USA.
| Benefit | Xplorer |
| Inpatient Care | Covered |
| Outpatient Care | Covered |
| Maternity | – |
| Dental | Optional |
| Vision | Optional |
| Prescription Costs | Yes |
As part of the renowned CVS Health, Aetna relies on an extensive experience in international and innovative healthcare plans. Supporting individuals in more than 200 countries, they provide a wide range of insurance. To cover those who live abroad, they offer Expatriate Health Insurance, designed to cover the same medical treatments you would receive in your home country while you’re away.
| Benefit | Plan |
| Inpatient Care | Limited |
| Outpatient Care | Limited |
| Maternity | – |
| Dental | Optional |
| Vision | Optional |
| Prescription Costs | Optional |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Yes, for international health insurance plans |
Cigna Global is a well-known company trusted for its extensive healthcare providers and medical care coverage. While you can find cheaper providers, Cigna stands out by its flexible and adaptable policies tailored to your needs, providing different levels of coverage. They are committed to offering a good customer experience and assistance throughout your stay.
| Benefit | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Inpatient Care | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Outpatient Care | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Maternity | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Dental | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Vision | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Prescription Costs | Can vary | Can vary | Can vary | Can vary |
| Emergency medical evacuation | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
William Russel provides affordable insurance plans for people living and working abroad – remote workers, digital nomads, regular travellers, and even businesses. Understanding deeply the concerns of those abroad, with their international health insurance you can access over 40,000 hospitals, covering both primary care and complex support.
| Benefit | Bronze Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan |
| Inpatient Care | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Outpatient Care | Limited | Covered | Covered |
| Maternity | No | Limited | Covered |
| Dental | No | No | Covered |
| Vision | No | No | No |
| Prescription Costs | Limited | Covered | Covered |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Mental health | Covered | Covered | Covered |
With more than 25 years of experience, IMG is a health insurance provider globally recognized. They provide access to the PPO network (Preferred Provider Organization), meaning you will pay less if you use providers that belong to the plan’s network. Their International Health Insurance provides long-term coverage that is perfect for those on a budget.
| Benefit | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Inpatient Care | Covered | Covered | Covered | |
| Outpatient Care | Limited | Covered | Covered | |
| Maternity | – | – | – | Limited |
| Dental | No | No | Max. 100$ | 750$ per period of coverage. 50$ deductible |
| Vision | No | No | No | Max. 100$ every 2 years |
| Prescription Costs | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Mental health | – | Limited | Max. 10000$ | Max. 50000$ |
Can’t decide? Request free quotes from our partner International Citizens Insurance and compare health insurance providers to find what suits you best 👇.
Healthcare in the UK is very simple, often when you arrive at the doctor or hospital you only have to say your name, date of birth and address and you can be seen at no cost. Instead, in the US, it is recommended to have health insurance to protect you from owing a lot of money to doctors or hospitals if you get sick or hurt. You will then receive most of your care from your primary care provider (PCP), who you choose from your insurance company’s network. You will be asked for your insurance policy and to fill out a form explaining the reason you are visiting the healthcare centre.
One of the key features of healthcare in America is that there there are a wide variety of good doctors and high-quality service available at short notice. Unfortunately, the other side of the coin is that only 58% of the population have private healthcare meaning that the other 42% of people can’t afford even basic healthcare. There is an Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, which has recently come into place, however, this is currently being debated.
Unfortunately, there is no reciprocal health agreement between the USA and the UK therefore you will need to take out insurance when moving to the USA. Without insurance, you are leaving yourself exposed to paying almost extortionate amounts of money on hospital fees or even risk being treated with worse care. Often patients are not treated without prior payment or evidence of insurance. If you need to stay in the hospital for three days in the US, it could cost you roughly $30,000, so it is highly recommended you look into getting insurance.
Additionally, it is vital to keep all receipts to make an insurance claim.
Private health insurance is very expensive, meaning that it is a staple of the middle class. Health insurance costs approximately £600 per month for a basic plan. The cost of health insurance is often deducted from your salary however different healthcare packages can be arranged with your employer. The price of your insurance premiums can vary significantly based on your healthcare up to almost £5000 per month. You can be reimbursed up to £200,000 by your insurance company.
The USA is making strides when it comes to public healthcare. Although the most popular system of healthcare in America is private care there are the following options which are explained below:
Other forms of public healthcare or public aid include:
It is easy to find a pharmacy in US cities. You can find pharmacies in drug stores, grocery stores and large department stores or attached to hospitals and medical centres.
You can easily find prescription medication at pharmacies. One thing to bear in mind is that the cost of prescription medication can be very expensive. It is advisable to keep all your receipts to claim back the insurance.
When it comes to bringing prescription medication into the USA you need to be able to prove that the medication is yours through a copy of a prescription or other recognised means.
If you need more help, we recommend you also start by taking a look at the articles we have linked for you below!
